PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergio Melo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksander Ivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sergio Melo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Melo
vs
Ivanov

186 cm
26
196 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

182 cm
30
199 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sergio Melo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aleksander Ivanov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov lands a nice shot to the body.
Ivanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sergio Melo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ivanov throws a leg kick but Melo sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Melo throws a low kick, looking for Ivanov's leg but Ivanov calmly moves out of range.
Melo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ivanov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Melo misses with a few strikes there.
Ivanov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ivanov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Melo is able to avoid easily.
Ivanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Melo.
Melo finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ivanov takes a swing at Melo's ribcage but misses.
Melo tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ivanov is able to avoid easily.
Melo throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ivanov on the side of the head.
Melo feints a jab promting Ivanov to slip. Melo then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ivanov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Aleksander Ivanov has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Melo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Melo missing with a left hand there. Ivanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ivanov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Melo.
Ivanov dodges the punch combination from Melo.
Melo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Melo.
Melo misses with a wild body shot.
Melo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ivanov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ivanov moves out of range as Melo strikes.
A shot to the liver by Melo. Beautiful body shot.
Good leg kick by Melo there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Melo connects with a solid leg kick.
Melo throws a big shot that misses.
Ivanov throws a leg kick
and Melo counters with a nice leg kick.
Ivanov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Melo takes a swing at Ivanov's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Ivanov
and Melo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ivanov moves into range and clinches up with Melo.
Ivanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ivanov gets through Melo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ivanov misses with a knee to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ivanov misses with the head strike.
Ivanov can't find room to land a body shot as Melo controls the action.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Melo controls his hands.
Ivanov wants to break free but Melo has control.
Ivanov tries a body shot but Melo blocks it.
Ivanov tries to break free but Melo pushes him back against the cage.
Ivanov throws a punch but it's blocked by Melo.
Ivanov with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo tries to break free but Ivanov pushes him back against the cage.
Ivanov lands an uppercut.
Melo is trying to break the clinch but Ivanov has him pressed against the cage.
Ivanov misses with a knee strike.
Melo blocking some punches.
Ivanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ivanov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Melo avoids it.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but Melo blocks it.
Ivanov misses with a knee strike.
Ivanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Melo is defending well for now.
Melo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ivanov can't find room to land a body shot as Melo controls the action.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Melo controls his hands.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Melo.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melo lands a right hand.
Ivanov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Melo.
Melo is trying to pull guard but Ivanov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Ivanov stalling in the clinch.
Melo tries a body shot but Ivanov blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A hook to the body from Melo.
Ivanov missing with knees to the body.
Ivanov pushes Melo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ivanov working aggressively here.
Ivanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ivanov prevents a body shot from Melo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Melo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ivanov's efforts to push away.
Melo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ivanov lands a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sergio Melo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Aleksander Ivanov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Melo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ivanov moves away.
Melo misses with a looping right.
Ivanov lands a jab.
Ivanov tries to clinch but Melo is having none of it.
Melo throws a solid leg kick but Ivanov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Melo.
Sloppy strikes from Melo. Those never looked like landing.
Melo misses with the combination.
Melo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ivanov moves away.
Melo tries a head kick but it misses.
Ivanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Melo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ivanov at a distance.
Melo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ivanov momentarily.
Melo with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ivanov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Melo's calf.
Melo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ivanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Ivanov misses the target.
Sergio Melo is winning the standup battle so far.
Melo lands a leg kick that knocks Ivanov off balance momentarily.
Ivanov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ivanov misses with a body kick.
Ivanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ivanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Melo throws out the jab.
Melo explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ivanov throws the left hand but Melo avoids the punch easily.
Melo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ivanov.
Melo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
An inside leg kick from Ivanov misses.
Ivanov scores with the left hand. Melo knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ivanov.
Melo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Melo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ivanov swings for the body but Melo moves out of range.
Ivanov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Melo swats away the attempt to clinch by Ivanov.
Melo throws a hook but Ivanov blocks it.
Melo scores with a push kick.
Melo throws a nice looking combination but Ivanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ivanov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Melo at a distance.
Ivanov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Melo at a distance.
Melo misses with a wild body shot.
Ivanov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Melo rather than just go for the knockout.
Ivanov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ivanov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Melo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ivanov throws a leg kick but Melo moved away.
Ivanov blocks a low kick nicely.
Melo misses with a straight right.
Melo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ivanov.
Ivanov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Melo moves out of range as Ivanov strikes.
Ivanov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Melo thumps Ivanov with a low kick.
Melo just misses with a punch to the body.
Ivanov moves out of range as Melo throws a body kick.
Melo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A cross from Melo lands.
A shot to the body from Melo misses
and Ivanov counters with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Melo.
Ivanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Melo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ivanov throws a lazy head kick
and Melo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
An inside leg kick from Ivanov misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Melo blocks the leg kick.
Ivanov lands with a slapping head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ivanov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ivanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Melo cracks Ivanov with a good jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ivanov instigates a clinch.
Melo lands with a right to the head.
Ivanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Melo controls his hands.
Melo lands a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sergio Melo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Aleksander Ivanov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ivanov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ivanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Melo walks into a straight right hand from Ivanov.
A big right from Melo misses.
Melo lands a nice looking body shot.
Melo misses the jab.
Ivanov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Melo. That did some damage!
Melo thows a body shot but no joy.
Melo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ivanov moves away.
Melo misses with a low kick as Ivanov jumps back.
Melo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ivanov momentarily.
Melo takes one to the side of the head.
Melo misses with a wild combination.
Ivanov tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Ivanov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Melo looks for the body kick but Ivanov saw that one coming.
Ivanov looks to land a body kick but Melo moved away.
Ivanov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ivanov misses with a right hand
and Melo counters with a one-two to the body.
Ivanov throws a leg kick but Melo sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Melo circles away from the clinch attempt.
A punch lands to the side of Ivanov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Melo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Melo checks a leg kick.
Ivanov throws a poor cross that misses
and Melo makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Ivanov really felt that one!
Melo tries to bum rush Ivanov with a series of wild strikes but Ivanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ivanov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Melo with a hook.
Ivanov throws a leg kick but Melo sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ivanov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanov misses with an uppercut.
A shot to the body from Ivanov misses
and Melo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ivanov tried to score with a low kick but Melo checks it.
Ivanov misses with a leg kick.
Melo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Melo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ivanov throws the left hand but Melo avoids the punch easily.
Ivanov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Melo misses the shot to the body.
Melo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ivanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Melo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ivanov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ivanov slips a jab and a cross from Melo.
Ivanov thows a body shot but no joy.
Melo misses with a looping left.
Melo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ivanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Ivanov throws a shot from downtown. Melo moves away and avoids it.
Ivanov lands a nice shot to the body.
Aleksander Ivanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Melo throws a jab when Ivanov was well out of range.
Ivanov works Melo's body with a nice hook.
Ivanov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ivanov misses with a body kick.
Ivanov throws a leg kick
and Melo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ivanov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Melo.
Ivanov connects with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Melo feints and then cracks Ivanov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ivanov down.
Melo throws a low kick but Ivanov avoids it.
A leg kick checked by Melo.
Melo tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Melo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ivanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Melo.
Ivanov just misses with a punch to the body.
Melo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sergio Melo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Melo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ivanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Melo circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Melo. Ivanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ivanov throws a big shot that misses.
Ivanov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Melo's head.
Melo smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sergio Melo.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Melo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergio Melo!
A very excited looking Sergio Melo made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.